Challenge

The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), on behalf of the UK Department for Transport, sought to address a critical shortage of HGV and public service vehicle drivers in the UK. This shortage, exacerbated by the pandemic, was significantly impacting the supply chain and public transport sectors. The existing Driver Qualification Card (DQC) process was considered inflexible and burdensome, deterring both new drivers and those wishing to return to the industry.  

The need to develop a new UK-only DQC, separate from the EU standard, emerged in a post-Brexit regulatory landscape. This required legislative changes and substantial updates to legacy systems at DVSA, DVLA, and DVA.  

The project involved ensuring the existing system could handle complex training requirements, enable seamless data sharing across agencies, and integrate e-learning data collection while maintaining rigorous safety and compliance standards. Following robust tendering processes, DVSA and DVLA selected BJSS to help deliver this ambitious project. 

Solution

BJSS took a collaborative, agile approach to delivering the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) reforms project, managing parallel changes across DVSA and DVLA. This required alignment with the DVA in Northern Ireland and seamless integration with multiple legacy systems. 

Key deliverables:

Modernised Systems 

BJSS led the redesign and development of a new DVLA CPC system, consolidating two legacy applications, and bringing the technology in line with DVLAs  modern cloud infrastructure. BJSS also undertook the redesign and development of DVSA’s CPC system, segregating data to handle both national and international qualifications in parallel, introducing complex business rules to satisfy the new legislation, creating and integrating a new calculation page to show detailed and aggregated driver data combined  with enhanced user interfaces for training centres and DVSA colleagues. A mock DVLA API service was also created to simulate data exchange and de-risk delivery. 

Improved User Experience 

New features, including updates to the online driver enquiry portal and the introduction of a training analysis page to show detailed and aggregated data which allows drivers to better track their training progress and qualification status.  

Flexible Training Options 

Introduced support for recording e-learning hours taken as part of a course and shorter national training modules being introduced by training centres, giving drivers greater flexibility while maintaining safety standards.  

Since support: 

  • 326 e-learning hours were recorded between July and November 2024 
  • 200 new national training courses added in November 2024, only three weeks after release. 

A Return to Driving option that gives former CPC holders a quick route back into the industry. Drivers will also be offered the opportunity to opt out of and back into the new national qualification as they desire.  

Cross-Agency Collaboration 

BJSS facilitated regular multi-agency meetings and developed a unified project plan, ensuring dependencies between DVSA, DVLA, and DVA were identified quickly and resolved efficiently. 

Resilient Delivery 

Despite legacy system constraints and some changes being delivered during a high volume of DQC renewal period, with almost 60K cards issued in September, BJSS ensured no disruption to live services through feature flags enabling functionality to be delivered dormant, partially or fully useable, widespread use of automated iterative testing, continuous integration and automated regression testing.  

BJSS also led the migration of circa 980,000 Driver, 1.4 million CPC, and 1.5 million DQC records with minimal to no interruption to service on go live. BJSS’s deep domain knowledge, innovative technical solutions, and ability to align stakeholders were instrumental in driving progress. 

Outcome

The project has delivered significant benefits, transforming the DQC process and supporting the industry with modernised systems and enhanced user experiences. 

Streamlined Operations 

The new system supports both national and international DQCs, offering greater clarity and alignment with regulatory requirements.  

Driver Flexibility 

Features like the opt-in/opt-out capability for national DQCs and e-learning options empower drivers to tailor their qualifications and training, increasing convenience and adaptability to individual career needs. 

Incremental Value Delivery 

Over 10 seamless production releases were delivered, enabling the gradual rollout of features without disrupting live services. This approach ensured early feedback, continuous improvement, and the timely delivery of critical functionality.  

Benefits of the changes  

The introduction of the National Driver Qualification Card (DQC) in the UK offers several benefits for drivers who operate exclusively within the country:  

Increased Flexibility  

Shorter training sessions: National DQC allows for courses as short as 3.5 hours, compared to the 7-hour minimum for International DQC. This flexibility makes it easier for drivers to fit training around their work schedules.  

No consecutive day requirement: Split courses for National DQC no longer need to be completed  on consecutive days, offering more scheduling options.  

Enhanced Learning Options  

E-learning opportunities: Drivers can now complete up to 100% of their training through approved e-learning courses for National DQC. This contrasts with the International DQC, which limits e-learning to a maximum of 12 hours out of the required 35 hours.  

Tailored content: National DQC training focuses specifically on UK driving requirements,  potentially making the content more relevant for drivers who don't operate internationally. 

Simplified Compliance 

Streamlined renewal process: The National DQC option aims to simplify the compliance process for UK-only drivers. 

Clear identification: National DQC cards will include the text "DOMESTIC UK USE ONLY," making it easy to identify the scope of the qualification.  

Cost and Time Efficiency  

Potential cost savings: With more flexible training options and focused content, drivers and  employers may find the National DQC more cost-effective.  

Time management: The ability to complete shorter training sessions and utilise e-learning can help drivers manage their time more efficiently, balancing training requirements with work and personal  commitments.  

Impact in numbers

240k HGV drivers

The total number of HGV drivers in UK was 266,000 as at March 2024 (source ONS). Given more than 90% of goods lifted by UK HGVs occurs within domestic transport (source DfT), we can expect that over 239,000 HGV drivers may benefit from the introduction of National DQC. 

70k bus and coach drivers

The total number of domestic bus drivers in the UK can be estimated to be about 70,000 in March 2023 (source DfT). All of them would potentially benefit from the introduction of National DQC.  

327 new national courses

As of November 2024 there were 2,781 live international courses in CPC administered by 813  approved providers. Between the release of the functionality to allow national courses creation in early November and the legislative change allowing them to provide these courses to the public on 3rd December, over 200 national courses have been created and made available to the public.  

This number grew to 327 by the 10th December, only one week after the legislative change.  

326 e-learning hours

After the release of e-learning in July 2024, 326 hours of e-learning training have been recorded as of November 2024.

Overall CPC usage volume 

  • 7,910,035 international training hours recorded in CPC up to October in 2024 
  • 367,856 international DQC requests up to October 2024  
  • 591,719 registered users to ODE, the public facing On-line Driver Enquiry portal, with 
  • 236,019  drivers accessing the service up to October in 2024  

“The teamwork and collaboration displayed in overcoming organisational barriers and boundaries  has been exceptional. Credit to everyone involved for collectively delivering this project and bringing  us to where we are today.”  

Becky Thomas, DVSA’s Director of Policy, Digital and Data 

The DCPC project exemplifies BJSS’s ability to deliver complex, multi-agency solutions with  measurable business impact. By modernising critical systems, fostering collaboration, and addressing regulatory challenges, BJSS has positioned DVSA and DVLA to drive significant  improvements in the driver qualification process.  

This project not only supports recruitment and retention in the transport sector but also underscores BJSS’s role as a trusted partner in delivering complex cross-agency transformative  government initiatives.